Watch Ballet Videos From the Comfort of Your Living Room

ballet videos

It’s been weeks since the COVID-19 social distancing and shelter at home measures went into effect, and that means it’s been a while since you’ve been able to go out and see ballet and dance performances live in person. But, fear not — theaters and dance companies have stepped up to help you get your fix of beautiful art from the comfort of your living room, with free online video offerings.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned ballerina, YouTube has a wealth of videos on how to move like a ballet dancer. Misty Du-Feu has a popular channel on the website, offering tutorials for beginners to experts, and an entire series of “Ballet Intensives,” which are live workshops taught by her and other professional dancers.

If you’re looking to apply for a job with a dance reel, make sure to include fresh clips to keep your reel up-to-date and relevant. But, it’s also important to make sure your selections showcase your personality — dance directors want to see you as an individual and not just a set of dance moves. Consider filming some quirky movement, a full-on character in a concept piece, or a really emotional performance that shows your vulnerability.

The Bolshoi Theatre is putting on a series of full-length ballet performances on its official YouTube channel, including iconic ballets such as The Nutcracker. Other options for watching classical ballet include the BBC’s Ballet: Behind Closed Doors, George Balanchine’s three-part Jewels Series at the Mariinsky Theatre, a collaboration between the Tokyo Ballet and Bejart Ballet Lausanne on The Ninth Symphony, the film Young Stars of Ballet, and more.